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Overview

Fish Audio models support 64+ emotional expressions and voice styles that can be controlled through text markers in your input. Add natural pauses, laughter, and other human-like elements to make speech more engaging and realistic.

How It Works

Simply wrap emotion tags in parentheses within your text:
(happy) What a beautiful day!
(sad) I'm sorry to hear that.
(excited) This is amazing news!
The TTS models will automatically recognize these markers and adjust the voice accordingly.

Complete Emotion Reference

Basic Emotions (24 expressions)

EmotionTagDescriptionExample Context
Happy(happy)Cheerful, upbeat toneGood news, greetings
Sad(sad)Melancholic, downcastSympathy, bad news
Angry(angry)Frustrated, aggressiveComplaints, warnings
Excited(excited)Energetic, enthusiasticAnnouncements, celebrations
Calm(calm)Peaceful, relaxedInstructions, meditation
Nervous(nervous)Anxious, uncertainDisclaimers, apologies
Confident(confident)Assertive, self-assuredPresentations, sales
Surprised(surprised)Shocked, amazedReactions, discoveries
Satisfied(satisfied)Content, pleasedConfirmations, reviews
Delighted(delighted)Very pleased, joyfulCelebrations, compliments
Scared(scared)Frightened, fearfulWarnings, horror stories
Worried(worried)Concerned, troubledConcerns, questions
Upset(upset)Disturbed, distressedComplaints, problems
Frustrated(frustrated)Annoyed, exasperatedTechnical issues, delays
Depressed(depressed)Very sad, hopelessSerious topics
Empathetic(empathetic)Understanding, caringSupport, counseling
Embarrassed(embarrassed)Ashamed, awkwardApologies, mistakes
Disgusted(disgusted)Repelled, revoltedNegative reviews
Moved(moved)Emotionally touchedHeartfelt moments
Proud(proud)Accomplished, satisfiedAchievements, praise
Relaxed(relaxed)At ease, casualCasual conversation
Grateful(grateful)Thankful, appreciativeThanks, appreciation
Curious(curious)Inquisitive, interestedQuestions, exploration
Sarcastic(sarcastic)Ironic, mockingHumor, criticism

Advanced Emotions (25 expressions)

EmotionTagDescriptionExample Context
Disdainful(disdainful)Contemptuous, scornfulCriticism, rejection
Unhappy(unhappy)Discontent, dissatisfiedComplaints, feedback
Anxious(anxious)Very worried, uneasyUrgent matters
Hysterical(hysterical)Uncontrollably emotionalExtreme reactions
Indifferent(indifferent)Uncaring, neutralNeutral responses
Uncertain(uncertain)Doubtful, unsureSpeculation, questions
Doubtful(doubtful)Skeptical, questioningDisbelief, questioning
Confused(confused)Puzzled, perplexedClarification requests
Disappointed(disappointed)Let down, dissatisfiedUnmet expectations
Regretful(regretful)Sorry, remorsefulApologies, mistakes
Guilty(guilty)Culpable, responsibleConfessions, apologies
Ashamed(ashamed)Deeply embarrassedSerious mistakes
Jealous(jealous)Envious, resentfulComparisons
Envious(envious)Wanting what others haveAdmiration with desire
Hopeful(hopeful)Optimistic about futureFuture plans
Optimistic(optimistic)Positive outlookEncouragement
Pessimistic(pessimistic)Negative outlookWarnings, doubts
Nostalgic(nostalgic)Longing for the pastMemories, stories
Lonely(lonely)Isolated, aloneEmotional content
Bored(bored)Uninterested, wearyDisinterest
Contemptuous(contemptuous)Showing contemptStrong criticism
Sympathetic(sympathetic)Showing sympathyCondolences
Compassionate(compassionate)Showing deep careSupport, help
Determined(determined)Resolved, decidedGoals, commitments
Resigned(resigned)Accepting defeatGiving up, acceptance

Tone Markers (5 expressions)

Control volume and intensity:
ToneTagDescriptionWhen to Use
Hurried(in a hurry tone)Rushed, urgentTime-sensitive information
Shouting(shouting)Loud, calling outGetting attention
Screaming(screaming)Very loud, panickedEmergencies, fear
Whispering(whispering)Very soft, secretiveSecrets, quiet scenes
Soft(soft tone)Gentle, quietComfort, lullabies

Audio Effects (10 expressions)

Add natural human sounds:
EffectTagDescriptionSuggested Text
Laughing(laughing)Full laughterHa, ha, ha
Chuckling(chuckling)Light laughHeh, heh
Sobbing(sobbing)Crying heavily(optional)
Crying Loudly(crying loudly)Intense crying(optional)
Sighing(sighing)Exhale of relief/frustrationsigh
Groaning(groaning)Sound of frustrationugh
Panting(panting)Out of breathhuff, puff
Gasping(gasping)Sharp intake of breathgasp
Yawning(yawning)Tired soundyawn
Snoring(snoring)Sleep soundzzz

Special Effects

Additional markers for atmosphere and context:
EffectTagDescription
Audience Laughter(audience laughing)Crowd laughing sound
Background Laughter(background laughter)Ambient laughter
Crowd Laughter(crowd laughing)Large group laughing
Short Pause(break)Brief pause in speech
Long Pause(long-break)Extended pause in speech
You can also use natural expressions like “Ha,ha,ha” for laughter without tags.

Usage Guidelines

Placement Rules

For English and Most Languages:
  • Emotion tags MUST go at the beginning of sentences
  • Tone controls can go anywhere in the text
  • Sound effects can go anywhere in the text
Correct:
(happy) What a wonderful day!
Incorrect:
What a (happy) wonderful day!

Combining Effects

You can layer multiple emotions for complex expressions:
(sad)(whispering) I miss you so much.
(angry)(shouting) Get out of here now!
(excited)(laughing) We won! Ha ha!

Sequential Emotions

Change emotions throughout your text:
(excited) We're launching tomorrow!
(nervous) I hope everything goes smoothly.
(confident) But I know we're ready!

Advanced Techniques

Emotion Transitions

Create natural emotional progressions:
(happy) I got the promotion!
(uncertain) But... it means relocating.
(sad) I'll miss everyone here.
(hopeful) Though it's a great opportunity.
(determined) I'm going to make it work!

Background Effects

Add atmospheric sounds:
The comedy show was amazing (audience laughing)
Everyone was having fun (background laughter)
The crowd loved it (crowd laughing)

Intensity Modifiers

Fine-tune emotional intensity with descriptive modifiers:
(slightly sad) I'm a bit disappointed.
(very excited) This is absolutely amazing!
(extremely angry) This is unacceptable!

Language Support

All 30+ supported languages can use emotion markers:
  • English, Spanish, French, German: Emotions must be at sentence start
  • Chinese, Japanese, Korean: More flexible placement allowed
  • Arabic, Hebrew: Right-to-left text considerations apply

Best Practices

Do’s

  • Use one primary emotion per sentence
  • Test different emotion combinations
  • Match emotions to context logically
  • Add appropriate text after sound effects (e.g., “Ha ha” after laughing)
  • Use natural expressions when possible
  • Space out emotional changes for realism

Don’ts

  • Don’t overuse emotion tags in short text
  • Don’t mix conflicting emotions
  • Don’t create custom tags - use only supported ones
  • Don’t forget parentheses
  • Don’t place emotion tags mid-sentence in English

Common Use Cases

Customer Service

(friendly) Hello! How can I help you today?
(empathetic) I understand your frustration.
(confident) I'll resolve this for you right away.
(grateful) Thank you for your patience!

Storytelling

(narrator) Once upon a time...
(mysterious)(whispering) The old house stood silent.
(scared) "Is anyone there?" she called out.
(relieved)(sighing) No one answered. Phew.

Educational Content

(enthusiastic) Welcome to today's lesson!
(curious) Have you ever wondered why?
(encouraging) That's a great question!
(proud) Excellent work!

Marketing & Sales

(excited) Introducing our newest product!
(confident) You won't find better quality anywhere.
(urgent) Limited time offer!
(satisfied) Join thousands of happy customers!

Troubleshooting

Emotion Not Working?

  1. Check placement - Emotions must be at the beginning of sentences for English
  2. Verify spelling - Tags must match exactly as listed
  3. Include parentheses - Tags must be wrapped in parentheses

Unnatural Sound?

  • Space out emotional changes
  • Use appropriate intensity
  • Test with different voices
  • Add context text after sound effects

Performance Notes

  • Emotion markers don’t count toward token limits
  • No additional latency for emotion processing
  • All emotions available on all pricing tiers
  • Maximum of 3 combined emotions per sentence recommended

Quick Reference Tables

Emotion Intensity Scale

Base EmotionMildModerateIntense
Happysatisfiedhappydelighted
Saddisappointedsaddepressed
Angryfrustratedangryfurious
Scarednervousscaredterrified
Excitedinterestedexcitedecstatic

Common Combinations

ScenarioEmotion ComboExample
Whispered Secret(mysterious)(whispering)“I have something to tell you…”
Angry Shout(angry)(shouting)“Stop right there!”
Sad Sigh(sad)(sighing)“I wish things were different. Sigh.”
Excited Laugh(excited)(laughing)“We did it! Ha ha!”
Nervous Question(nervous)(uncertain)“Are you sure about this?”

See Also

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